Ask the Fight Doc: What do you make of Dana White's new anti-TRT stance?

UFC President Dana White recently did a complete about face in regards to testosterone-replacement therapy.

In the latest edition of Ask the Fight Doc, MMAjunkie.com medical columnist and consultant Dr. Johnny Benjamin lauds his new anti-TRT stance.

But Dr. Benjamin also has a few questions and a handful of suggestions about where White should go from here.

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Doc, what do you think of Dana White’s change of heart regarding TRT? – Too numerous to mention

I was mentally away from MMA for a few days minding other matters, and when I got back in the swing of things, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

It appears that while in London promoting this past weekend’s card, UFC President Dana White went on one of his patented rants. But this time he did a complete about face regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in MMA.

Apparently, something (I’d love to know what) made White fall out of favor with the continued use of TRT in the UFC. He went on to vow that he would begin vigorously testing those with commission-granted waivers to use testosterone (therapeutic-use exemptions, or TUEs). Maybe he didn’t use those exact words, and maybe I’m paraphrasing just a bit. Apparently, though, he had an epiphany regarding the loophole that exists in the current policy, which allows those inclined (cheaters) to easily circumvent (game) the process and derive significant performance enhancement via TRT.

Kudos to Mr. White!

It took him a while, but at some point, the evidence both scientific and circumstantial apparently became more than he could bear. As he became more enlightened, he changed his position to become more consistent with his new understanding. I call that growth. Honestly I wish more people tried it.

For me a more intriguing question is what does he do going forward with this newfound knowledge?

My esteemed colleague Ben Fowlkes recently wrote a terrific column that asks three basic question of White’s new anti-TRT position:

Does the UFC plan to only test the official users (i.e. those with TUEs) and let the unofficial users slide?

What happens if a TRT user with an exemption (TUE) gets caught using it inappropriately?

If the UFC can make this step targeting improper TRT use, why can’t they do more?

My suggestions (you knew they were coming) are:

It’s imprudent to only test only those with TUEs. You must randomly test all fighters for testosterone use, or you’re merely encouraging fighters to not disclose their use with a request for an exemption and expose themselves to the increased scrutiny (testing) that comes with it.

Use CIR testing, which can detect exogenous (not made by your body) testosterone.

Set up an established, transparent, incremental penalty (financial, suspension or both) for those testing positive or ducking the test – then stick to it. You can’t show favoritism.

Give a 90-day grace period for fighters to get their houses in order and get off TRT if they’re already on it.

Devise a clever way to simply ban all use of TRT among UFC fighters regardless if they have a TUE or not. (For example: “Anyone testing positive for exogenous testosterone use will have a mandatory one-year unpaid leave for appropriate medical testing.”)

Use this growth regarding the use of TRT and other PEDs in MMA as just the beginning to an overall comprehensive enhanced anti-PED policy.

My greatest suggestion is for the UFC and Bellator (they’re not magically immune to the PED scourge) to embrace independent 24/7/365 testing as best provided by the Voluntary Anti-Doping agency (VADA).

Promoters: Please do what you do best, and that is to create amazing contests that the fans want to see. Please stroke the check and hire independent medical experts to do what they do best: Enhance player safety with a singular focus, and do what is in the best interest of person’s (fighter’s) health.

There will always be growing pains, but ultimately as in any business, a healthier workforce makes for a healthier bottom line.

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Dr. Johnny Benjamin is MMAjunkie.com’s medical columnist and consultant and a noted combat-sports specialist. He is also a member of the Association of Boxing Commissions’ MMA Medical Subcommittee. Dr. Benjamin writes an “Ask the Doc” column approximately every two weeks for MMAjunkie.com. To submit a question for a future column, email him at askthedoc [AT] mmajunkie.com, or share your questions and thoughts in the comments section below. You can find Dr. Benjamin online at www.drjohnnybenjamin.com, and you can read his other sports-related articles at blog.drjohnnybenjamin.com.

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